In late December, the AW109 Trekker was issued type certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This milestone marks the entry into the market of the newest lightweight twin-engine helicopter by Leonardo, which plans to begin deliveries in the first quarter of 2018. The Trekker AW109, based on the bestselling AW109/Grand, is equipped with skid landing gear and a fully digital Genesys Aerosystems cockpit. The display system eliminates superfluous information to help reduce pilots’ workload while flying in challenging environments and in demanding weather conditions. The AW109 Trekker retains the same characteristics, performance and flying qualities as its predecessor.
The AW109 Trekker incorporates many safety features including a cocoon-type airframe and a crash-resistant fuel system, crew and passenger seats. The aircraft is designed with a modular configuration approach in order to meet different needs, from single pilot VFR to dual pilot IFR. To date, orders have been placed for over 40 AW109 Trekkers worldwide.
